Wisconsin: E. coli 0157 outbreak investigated in La Crosse County

The La Crosse County Health Department is conducting disease investigation on reported cases of E. coli among La Crosse County residents. Children under age 5 and the elderly are most susceptible to infection.

E. coli/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

To date, there have been 8 cases of E. coli 0157, a particularly nasty form, which produces a toxin that can be harmful to the body organs such as the kidneys. This form of E. coli is also called STEC- Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli. Of the 8 cases, 6 children have been hospitalized for HUS- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

The Health Department is working with the Wisconsin Division of Health to complete disease investigation to contain the outbreak. At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and a single source of infection or contamination has not be identified.

E. coli is a bacterial infection that is more common during the summer months. Cases can be linked or stand alone. It is transmitted by eating contaminated food or water and by contact with fecal material from infected persons or animals. Person to person spread of bacteria is possible and may occur in family settings, daycare centers and nursing homes.

Signs and symptom of E. coli 0157 infection or STEC include severe abdominal cramps and loose and bloody diarrhea. Symptoms occur an average of 3-5 days after swallowing the germ. Some individuals become infected but do not develop symptoms. People do not develop immunity to E. coli.

Parents and caregivers whose children have persistent diarrhea (2-3 days) should consult their child’s doctor, keep the child out of daycare and school and follow extreme hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Testing for E. coli is done by sampling the stool and culturing the bacteria in a laboratory. Testing can take several days for results to be completed.